Decreased expression of claudin-18.2 in alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer compared to conventional gastric cancer

BackgroundAlpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer (AFPGC) is a subtype of gastric cancer (GC) with more aggressive biological behavior. As a highly specific tight junction component exclusively present in gastric mucosa and gastric adenocarcinomas, claudin-18.2 (CLDN18.2) has become an emerging target in GC. In this study, we aimed to provide insight into AFPGC and investigate the expression and the clinical implications of CLDN18.2 in AFPGC.MethodsWe retrospectively collected 98 cases of AFPGC and reviewed their clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical features. Another 356 patients with stage-matched conventional GC (cGC) were enrolled as a control group. We further surveyed CLDN18.2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 51 AFPGC tissues and explained its association with the clinicopathological parameters of AFPGC.ResultsOur results showed that AFPGC was a unique GC type with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which was a predictor of a worse prognosis. AFPGC showed typical morphological features and positive staining of at least 1 hepatocytic or enteroblastic marker. The expression rate of CLDN18.2 was low, with a positivity rate of 21.6%, which was much lower than that observed in cGC tissues (38.5%). A significant correlation was found between CLDN18.2 expression and the differentiation of AFPGC. CLDN18.2 expression was negatively correlated with the serum AFP level of AFPGC. We also found that AFPGC with a hepatoid type (HPT) component showed a significantly lower CLDN18.2 expression than those without.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that CLDN18.2 was significantly decreased in AFPGC and was negatively correlated with the patient’s preoperative serum AFP level. The negative correlation between AFP and CLDN18.2 could be explained by retro-differentiation of AFPGC. Special treatment strategies might be needed for this unique tumor type.     

UBE2C promotes the progression of pancreatic cancer and glycolytic activity via EGFR stabilization-mediated PI3K-Akt pathway activation

BackgroundPancreatic cancer (PC) is among the most prevalent and deadliest endocrine tumors, yet the mechanisms governing its pathogenesis remain to be fully clarified. While ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C (UBE2C) has been identified as an important oncogene in several cancers, its importance in PC has yet to be established.MethodsUBE2C expression in PC tumor samples and cell lines was examined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), while appropriate commercial kits were used to assess lactate production, ATP generation, and the uptake of glucose.ResultsUBE2C was found to be upregulated in PC patient tumors and correlated with poorer survival outcomes. In PC cell lines, the silencing of this gene suppressed the malignant activity of cells, thus supporting its identification as an oncogene in this cancer type. Mechanistically, UBE2C was found to promote enhanced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) protein expression via activating the PI3K-Akt pathway. Moreover, it was found to bind to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), stabilizing it and driving additional PI3K-Akt pathway activation. UBE2C knockdown in PC cells impaired their uptake of glucose and their ability to produce lactate and ATP.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the results of this study support a role for UBE2C as a driver of metastatic PC progression owing to its ability to bind to EGFR and to induce signaling via the PI3K-Akt pathway.     

Tunable Boc modification of lignin and its impact on microbial degradation rate

A new type of modified lignin, lignin-p-Boc, was obtained through reaction with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (Boc₂O) in aqueous media catalyzed by 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). Boc modification occurred regardless of type of lignin, was tunable, and proceeded well in recovering lignin at high purity from sodium lignosulfonate (a common byproduct from pulping industry; lignin content: 60%). Lignin-p-BOC was demonstrated as a potential reactive filler in green plastic and as a potential crosslinker in design of bioresorbable composite polymeric implants. Furthermore, the effect of the modification on breakdown rate of alkali lignin by microbes was investigated, and results showed that the modification substantially decreases the breakdown rate. The tunable Boc modification process was designed via a system thinking, including availability of raw lignin, economical/green modification, potentiality of drop-in-change to current thermoplastic processing, modification impact on microbial degradability/disposed environment at the end of use life; hence the holistic consideration makes this alternative method for upgrade of technical lignins very practical for future industrial application. Via “in-situ” forming “easily breakable covalent bonds” with existing thermopolymers inside, Lignin-p-BOCs are also promising to play an important role as both excellent binders via “random match” and reductants in transforming linear plastic waste into circular plastics.     

耳蜗电图在梅尼埃病诊断中的价值

迄今尚缺乏诊断梅尼埃病的敏感且特异的客观试验，７０年代以来，若干研究探讨了耳蜗电图（Ｅｌｅｃｔｒｏｃｏｃｈｌｅｏｇｒａｍ，ＥＣｏｃｈＧ）在梅尼埃病诊断中的价值，认为典型的改变是－ＳＰ异常增大，导致－ＳＰ／ＡＰ比值增高，以及－ＳＰ－ＡＰ复合波形异常增宽。各家报告－ＳＰ／ＡＰ诊断梅尼埃病阳性率从３２％至８７％．本文报告了９７例１００耳梅尼埃病鼓室内法检测的耳蜗电图结果，４９例－ＳＰ／ＡＰ比值异常增高，阳性率４９％；波型异常增宽１７耳，总阳性率６６％．眼震电图检测的阳性率６１％．耳蜗电图和眼震电图改变一致的４３耳，二者总阳性率为８４％。对各家阳性率不一致的原因作了分析。认为耳蜗电图－ＳＰ／ＡＰ比值诊断梅尼埃病的敏感性不如文献报告的那么乐观，在目前尚无更敏感更特异的诊断手段的情况下，耳蜗电图和眼震电图在梅尼埃病的诊断中起着相互印证和相互补充的作用。     

血脂异常中医证候及与代谢综合征相关性的研究

通过对600例血脂异常患者中医证侯的研究,总结了血脂异常中医证候分布的规律,确认血脂异常患者的病机是以本虚为主,脾虚和肾虚是血脂异常发病的主要病理基础,痰浊和瘀血也是影响血脂异常中医证候的重要因素,建议在治疗时应以补脾益肾为主要治疗原则。并首次在血脂异常的辨证中提出了＂无证候可辨＂的概念。通过对血脂异常中医证候与代谢综合征（MS）相关性的研究发现血脂异常中医证候的产生与MS及其组分中的超重或肥胖及高血压密切相关,提出MS及其各组分的存在是引起血脂异常中医虚证的重要因素,阐明了应用辨证论治的方法在治疗血脂异常的同时可以改善MS,还可以提高患者的生活质量,因而优于单纯的降脂治疗。     

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) reduces the invasive and metastatic properties of cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

OBJECTIVES: Arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) was found to induce apoptosis in certain types of cancer cells including acute promyelocytic leukemia, and recently in solid tumors. We have previously demonstrated that As(2)O(3) has a therapeutic effect on cervical cancer by apoptosis promotion in vitro and in vivo. Here we further our study on the role of arsenic trioxide in regulating invasive activity of cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: The effects of As(2)O(3) on human cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa, SiHa, Caski) adhesion, migration and invasion were observed by means of cell adhesion test, cell migration test and cell invasion test. The effects of As(2)O(3) on p-IkappaB, MMP-2, E-cadherin, caveolin-1 and beta-catenin protein expressions of tumor cells were determined by Western blot. In addition, the effects of As(2)O(3) on NF-kappaB activity of tumor cells were analyzed by immunoblot in whole lysates, cytosol and nucleus, respectively. In animal experiments, cervical cancer cells TC-1 were injected into tail veins of C57BL/6 mice and then the mice were treated by intraperitoneal injection of different doses As(2)O(3). Lung weights and the foci on the surface of lungs were measured. RESULTS: As(2)O(3) inhibited attachment of tumor cells to Fibronectin and Matrigel, reduced cell motility and inhibited tumor invasion potential. As(2)O(3) treatment also resulted in a positive regulation of caveolin-1, upregulation of E-cadherin and decreased activity of beta-catenin, NF-kappaB and NF-kappaB-regulated gene MMP-2. In animal experiments, lung weights in PBS group (0.31+/-0.07 g) were significantly elevated compared with those in As(2)O(3)-treated groups (0.21+/-0.03 g and 0.17+/-0.03 g) also As(2)O(3) reduced number of metastatic lesions of lungs (15.4+/-3.5 vs. 8.3+/-2.0 and 6.3+/-2.3) in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to report the effectiveness of As(2)O(3) as an inhibitor of cervical cancer invasion both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a potential clinical application of As(2)O(3) in cervical cancer therapies combining apoptosis induction and metastasis inhibition.     

聚维酮在阿霉素诱导膀胱癌EJ细胞凋亡模型中的作用机制

目的:探讨聚维酮(PVP)在体外加阿霉素(ADM)后诱导EJ细胞发生凋亡的情况以及一些相关机制。方法:应用流式细胞仪(FCM)检测ADM诱导EJ细胞的凋亡率、PVP EJ细胞的凋亡率以及PVP ADM对EJ细胞的诱导凋亡率的情况。结果:PVP对ADM诱导膀胱癌EJ细胞凋亡无影响。结论:PVP在整个诱导过程中并没有协同作用,只起到粘附作用,使得药物停留在EJ细胞表面的作用时间延长,从而达到大量杀伤EJ细胞的作用。     

Differential Effects of Dietary versus Exercise Intervention on Intrahepatic MAIT Cells and Histological Features of NAFLD

Background: Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells promote inflammation in obesity and are implicated in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, as the intrahepatic MAIT cell response to lifestyle intervention in NAFLD has not been investigated, this work aimed to examine circulating and intrahepatic MAIT cell populations in patients with NAFLD, after either 12 weeks of dietary intervention (DI) or aerobic exercise intervention (EI). Methods: Multicolour flow cytometry was used to immunophenotype circulating and intrahepatic MAIT cells and measure MAIT cell expression (median fluorescence intensity, MFI) of the activation marker CD69 and apoptotic marker CD95. Liver histology, clinical parameters, and MAIT cell populations were assessed at baseline (T0) and following completion (T1) of DI or EI. Results: Forty-five patients completed the study. DI participants showed decreased median (interquartile range) expression of the activation marker CD69 on circulating MAIT cells (T0: 104 (134) versus T1 27 (114) MFI; p = 0.0353) and improvements in histological steatosis grade post-intervention. EI participants showed increased expression of the apoptotic marker CD95, both in circulating (T0: 1549 (888) versus T1: 2563 (1371) MFI; p = 0.0043) and intrahepatic MAIT cells (T0: 2724 (862) versus T1: 3117 (1622) MFI; p = 0.0269). Moreover, the percentage of intrahepatic MAIT cells significantly decreased after EI (T0: 11.1 (14.4) versus T1: 5.3 (9.3)%; p = 0.0029), in conjunction with significant improvements in fibrosis stage and hepatocyte ballooning. Conclusions: These data demonstrate independent benefits from dietary and exercise intervention and suggest a role for intrahepatic MAIT cells in the observed histological improvements in NAFLD.     

Restirring and Reheating Effects on Microstructural Evolution of Al–Zn–Mg–Cu Alloy during Underwater Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing

Friction stir additive manufacturing (FSAM) can be potentially used for fabricating high-performance components owing to its advantages of solid-state processing. However, the inhomogeneous microstructures and mechanical properties of the build attributed to the complex process involving restirring and reheating deserve attention. This study is based on the previous research of the underwater FSAMed 7A04 aluminum alloy and adopts a quasi in situ experimental method, i.e., after each pass of the underwater FSAM, samples were taken from the build for microstructural observation to investigate the restirring and reheating effects on microstructural evolution during the underwater FSAM. Fine-grain microstructures were formed in the stir zone during the single-pass underwater FSAM. After restirring, the grain size at the bottom of the overlapping region decreased from 1.97 to 0.87 μm, the recrystallization degree reduced from 74.0% to 29.8%, and the initial random texture transformed into a strong shear texture composed of the C {110}<11¯0>. After reheating, static recrystallization occurred in the regions close to the new additive zones, increasing the grain size and recrystallization degree. This study not only revealed the microstructural evolution during the underwater FSAM but also provided a guideline for further optimization of the mechanical properties of the Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy build.